Flowing wines, industry legends and auction experiences to make even the most seasoned of connoisseurs envious. 300 guests and VIPs celebrated the best of the NSW wine industry on Friday 2nd September at the inaugural First Planted Gala Lunch & Auction held at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Claiming back the wine roots of Australia, guests were treated to a 3-course gourmet lunch with matching NSW wines as they relaxed and mingled with some of the industry’s finest personalities. Hosted by comedian Jean Kittson, the light-hearted event saw industry heavyweights and guests alike in barrels of laughter with PLONK creatives Chris Taylor and Nathan Earl proving the award-winning and rare wines of NSW really are irreplaceable. Sommeliers and restaurateurs from some of Sydney’s finest dining establishments such as Quay, The Imperial Hotel, Bennelong and PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney were amongst those treated to vintages old and new, with much attention being placed on the standout 2014 wines in the room.

Alongside the gala lunch, guests had the opportunity to bid on some truly ‘unicorn’ experiences and wines at the live auction, with 20 of the most hotly contested lots sold exclusively at the event. For those unable to attend, 132 lots are now live online until 9pm, Thursday 8 September with vertical vintage tasting packs of some of Australia’s most awarded wines, experiences for up to 20 people including a long lunch at Urban Winery Sydney and romantic getaways to Mudgee, Orange and the Hunter Valley.

Most noted of the exclusive auction lots sold under the hammer included your own barrel of Tyrrell’s 2016 Vat 47 Chardonnay which sold for $12,232, a weekend in Mudgee including dining at two of Mudgee’s hottest restaurants, a full-day helicopter wine tour and VIP treatment at the Huntington Music Festival that was snapped up for $3,728 and the last double magnum of 2014 Lake’s Folly Cabernet that reached a record-breaking $990.

NSW Wine Industry Association President, Tom Ward, expressed his delight at the outcome of the event and his excitement to see the result of the final online auction.

“Winemakers from across NSW have been winning awards and producing outstanding vintages for decades. We wanted to showcase our great capabilities and successes as a wine producing state and this event has allowed us this opportunity. It has been a great success in bringing NSW wines back into the conversation and we’re excited to see the flow on through the state’s wine lists and cellars. And for those who were able to get their hands on the rare wines and experiences, or are still waiting to bid on their otherwise impossible to buy offer, we hope they enjoy their unique piece of NSW wine history.”